Agriculture

This spring, 4-H members are busy getting ready for the numerous activities and events. Sometimes it’s hard to know what ones to include first in the 4-H news! Today will start the inclusion of results from the 4-H Talk Meet program. The first school event was held on Tuesday, March 23 at St. Dominic Elementary. The list of results will be included after the announcement of other upcoming 4-H events. Congratulations to all of the participants for an outstanding job.

Approximately 1,000 4-H members from across the state converged on Frankfort for 4-H Capitol Experience day last week. The day gave 4-H members a chance to not only tour the Capitol but also to visit with their legislators and to see state government in action.

Spring has started and it seems to have started all at once - the birds are chirping and the sting of cold has been replaced by mild, fresh air. I don’t know why, but spring just smells better, sounds better, and feels better this year! It must be because winter felt like it lasted ten years. We are still going to have some cold weather, frosts, and freezes but there are a lot of plants that can and should be planted now in the vegetable and flower garden.

In Kentucky, agriculture and agribusiness account for more than 16 percent of the gross state product and more than 20 percent of the total employment. As a vital component of the state’s overall economy, agriculture faces many challenges which are increasingly complex as U.S. agriculture becomes more fully integrated into the U.S. economy and the global sector as well.

To deal with this complex world, agriculture needs leaders who understand the important issues facing society and who can communicate a vision to an increasingly urban audience.

Washington County 4-H began its annual fundraiser last week and many of the 4-H members are selling World’s Finest candy bars. This is the main fundraiser that supports all awards and recognition and county-wide 4-H activities and events. 4-H members may pick up their candy from the Extension Office during March on Mondays-Fridays between 8-4:30 p.m. except noon-1 p.m. when the office is closed for lunch. All money should be returned no later than Tuesday, March 30.

BEEF Magazine recently conducted a survey of beef producers across the US and reported the results in their Mid February issue. The survey was completed by 966 producers, 3.2 percent coming from Kentucky.

The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival coming March 19 kicks off a year-long international celebration of the horse. Co-sponsored by the University of Kentucky’s Equine Initiative and the University of Louisville’s equine business program, the festival seeks to give youth a preview of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games set to take place in Lexington this fall.

There is a huge debate raging in the nation now over who knows best to tell farmers how to raise their animals. I would like to share with you Farm Bureau’s thoughts on the important legislation of Senate Bill 105. These are Farm Bureau’s ideas for you to consider.

SB 105 would establish a Kentucky Livestock Care Commission. This commission would establish livestock and poultry on farm care standards for Kentucky farmers.

For the 14th year, Washington County college-bound youth who are currently 4-H members or FFA members or were a member their senior year in high school (within the last 5 years), have the opportunity to apply for the Dorrin and Ruth Ross Scholarship. The scholarship was originally established in 1991 to enable 4-H and FFA members to pursue higher education through full or part-time attendance at any public or nonprofit independent college or university in the United States. Scholarships are awarded to defray the cost of tuition and books.